Thurston to lead top Cowboys side in clash against St George

THE Cowboys have named a star-studded team to take on St George Illawarra for Saturday night's trial at Barlow Park in Cairns.

Co-captain Johnathan Thurston and representative front-rower James Tamou have been included in the 22-man squad after playing in last weekend's All Stars game.

But Thurston will need to pass a pre-game fitness test on his swollen right hand.

Other players that will feature in this game, after resting against Brisbane last Saturday, will be co-captain Matthew Scott, Antonio Winterstein, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson, Ray Thompson and Jason Taumalolo.

Kane Linnett (infection) will not play.

Brent Tate and Rory Kostjasyn are expected to play against the Titans in Mackay next week after recovering from their shoulder operations.

Clint Greenshields will keep his spot at fullback, with Matthew Bowen still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.